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Travel & Experiences

London’s East End, an Olympics alternative

As the world visits London for the 2012 Olympics, visitors will encounter recent changes, including the revitalization of the East End. Its Brick Lane was once an industrial artery, then home to Bangladeshi immigrants and curry shops, and is now a favored haunt of bohemians and creative types. On Sundays, it fills with shoppers and browsers.

As the world visits London for the 2012 Olympics, visitors will encounter recent changes, including the revitalization of the East End. Its Brick Lane was once an industrial artery, then home to Bangladeshi immigrants and curry shops, and is now a favored haunt of bohemians and creative types. On Sundays, it fills with shoppers and browsers.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

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Brick Lane, London's East End

In Brick Lane, art and craft stalls have taken over big portions of the old Truman brewery complex, including this vendor of brilliantly colored lampshades.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Brick Lane, London's East End

Café 1001 Coffee Shop brews up business in an area once dominated by gritty industry.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Hackney, East London

The Cat & Mutton pub on Broadway Market is part of a lively scene in and near Hackney.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Hoxton, East End

The Breakfast Club on Rufus Street near Hoxton Square is part of a chain of casual London eateries.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Hoxton, East End

The White Cube gallery, known for contemporary art, has a location on Hoxton Square.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Spitalfields, East End

Spitalfields Market, in London’s East End, goes back centuries. It draws its biggest crowds on Sundays.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Columbia Road, East End

Columbia Road flower market is open every Sunday, rain or shine. Rachel Bramwell, who grew up in Los Angeles before heading to London for graduate school and work, holds a bouquet of freshly purchased flowers.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Hoxton, East End

The Hoxton hotel is in Shoreditch, one of East London’s trendier neighborhoods.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

Shoreditch, East End

Street art beneath a bridge near Rivington Street and the lively Shoreditch nightlife zone of Curtain Road.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

St. Paul's Cathedral, London

From the balcony high on St. Paul’s Cathedral, visitors get a panoramic view of London that includes the Millennium Bridge, the Thames River and the Tate Modern, which occupies a former power plant just across the river.   (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

London

The Rising Sun pub sits on Carter Lane in a warren of narrow streets between St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Thames.  (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times)

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